BMW X1 Li long wheelbase introduced in China

Luxury car buyers in China tend to favour rear seat comfort over other attributes in their cars. This explains the rising number of luxury carmakers coming up with a long wheelbase version of their regular cars. BMW, for one, has just introduced a long-wheelbase version of the X1 called the X1 Li.

The X1 Li is made locally by the BMW-Brilliance joint venture and is sold with prices ranging between 286.000 yuan (Rs 29.20 lakh) and 439.000 yuan (Rs 44.82 lakh).

The X1 Li is 8 centimetres longer, 2 centimetres wider and 4 centimetres taller than the standard X1. This has added around 18cm to the wheelbase of the car all of which has been put in the second row. This additional space has also translated into a bigger boot of around 675litres which can be extended to 1650litres with the seats folded down.

Powering the X1 Li is a range of 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo, 213hp 2-litre turbo and a 257bhp 2-litre turbo petrol engines. With more space on offer compared to the standard car, the X1 Li joins a host of long wheelbase models designed specifically for the Chinese market.